Brompton Bling

In a thread about my cooler, someone asked about the fairy lights in the wheels. I couldn't add photos so I'm creating another thread. I'll describe some of the bling I've done so far…

1. Wheels: White fairy lights from Dollarama ($1.50)… I had to test it for the price and I did it a few hours before a major night time bike event. The fairy lights were only meant to be temporary but I think anyone could make them permanent (I was really impressed with the price and ease of installation). The next day, I added what I always intended for the wheels… a 5V, 2.7mm wide, single colour COB LED (240 LED/m, 5W/m), 1m length. On the LEDs I use an optional dimmer controller (I've tested dimmers with RF remote, bluetooth, wifi, and hard wired keys) so I can dim, blink or strobe the lights. I'm still awaiting small USB battery packs for the final installation. The LEDs are very bright even in daytime and have a continuous Tron-like effect.

2. Tube: 5V, 2.7mm wide, RGB addressable COB LED (240 LED/m, 18W/m), about 1.5m. Wrapped around tube and seat post. Viewable on both sides. I use an IoTorero slim WLED controller. I've tested with other $2 controllers and they are fine… but I like the flexibility of a WLED controller. Small USB battery and controller tucked into a $3 boomerang bag (Ali Express) that's designed for the Brompton.

3. Helmet: Same COB LEDs used on the wheels but in red. I removed the visor on the helmet to make it a bit more Tron-like. I believe I used about 1 to 1.5m of LEDs.

4. Cooler: This is before I added the block mount. 5L yellow. I think another Ali Express purchase… I selected this because it was cheap and the sides and bottom were flat and not contoured so I know I'd be able to add the block mount easily. Only disadvantage has been the lid flaps easily so I use some crystal clear gorilla tape to keep it closed

5. Pink "love" neon sign. I got this from Canadian Tire (CT). it's powered by 3x AA. I have another from CT that is a yellow "hello". Hard not to by more like a banana (yellow peel and white banana), palm tree, cherries and more. I just tape them to whatever I have on the block mount.

6. High visibility vest… probably what I've spent the most time experimenting with are the different iterations of my high visibility vest where I stitch 4m of single colour COB LEDs. Shown is a very early iteration… now the LEDs follow the reflective fabric so well people don't usually notice until it's on.

7. Ideas: I'm considering RGB on the tires. I'd like to try another helmet with RGB. And of course, RGB on the Brompton stem. I'm very careful about additions to the Brompton as I don't want to interfere with the fold (which is why I started with wearables).